A country girl goes to the big city where she faces the lures of glamor and temptation mingled with the wiles and snares of deceit. All this could become ruinous or could be overcome by hard work and attention to the values which motivate good choices.

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Saturday, October 18, 2014

I do not like to talk about myself. Really, I do not, however I do like to talk about my book: More Than a Ticket. And why do I like to talk about the book? There is not a word in it that is not valued by me. Every time I wrote text and selected the pictures, I pondered and looked for inspiration to choose the right words and pictures to tell the story. There are themes that run through the book: family relationships, education, employment, validation, patriotism, message to the young, religion, and it is all tied together with the cement of the work ethic. And as Daddy would say, "Sis, get up and amount to something!"

As you read the book and it becomes your friend, just know that I would like to be traveling where the book goes to also be making new friends. Let me know how you like the book: argie.ella@gmail.com

More Than a TicketMemoirs Flying with American Airlines from Props to Jets

Authored by
Argie Ella Hoskins

Cover: The new Boeing 707 Jet.
This book welcomes the reader with snapshots during the golden age of
flying from carrying mail to a time when excited passengers were treated
as guests and everyone dressed in their Sunday best to board American
Airlines. It is engaging and appreciated.We served the flying public
with much, much "More Than a Ticket." We had time to hang coats, learn
names, have a conversation, serve a delicious meal and hold babies. You
will feel the excitement of times gone by and get a glimpse of how the
atmosphere of air travel has changed through the years. The drama of
time has created a different picture.
Part one: "My Life as a Stewardess," takes the reader on a journey with a
shy country girl to the city, but she is still a country girl as she
becomes a confident stewardess serving all passengers, including the
rich and famous, making everyone feel at home. How did she do it? Part
two: "On Wings of Time," features short stories from AA stewardesses,
pilots, flight engineers, and passengers. The young and old, casual
readers and aviation enthusiasts will be delighted with memoirs.
Stewardess Argie, "Am I cut out for this job?" “They say I am Dyslexic.”
"Make friends with your cognitive gifts." (Stewardess on Boeing 707 jet
inaugural flight and also did public relations for AA.)
I have dedicated these words with love and respect to my flying friends.
An expression of appreciation for the community of American Airlines.
Somewhere in the clouds of time, we met, embraced, and parted. Moments remembered from here to eternity. —Argie

Both casual readers and aviation enthusiasts will be
delighted with this read through the Golden Age of flying
from carrying mail, and later passengers dressed up and excited to
board American Airlines.

Charities to receive % of profit:
The National MPS Society
Acacia Shade, Children with Disabilities in GhanaOrton Dyslexia SocietyNational Kiwi Fund
LDS Humanitarian Fund
"No one has ever become poor by giving." — Anne Frank

Passenger Margaret with two former American Airlines
Stewardesses: Joan and Argie

Memorial coin from the Boeing 707 Inaugural Flight.
Margaret made it into a necklace to wear.

Margaret and Argie Somewhere in the clouds of time, We met, embraced, and parted, Moments remembered from here to eternity.
---Argie

If
I were to title this response to life, I would call it CHANGE IN
FLIGHT PLAN

The
Friday before the exciting trip, the car thanked us for a 60,000 mile
maintenance check by the Volvo dealer, and it was ready for a road
trip to California. I was thrilled to take this touring adventure
with Gene; the clothes laid out for my anticipated book signing in
San Jose; even the pens that wouldn't bleed on the books. Details all
taken with serious intent.

Followed
by a week of madness. It happened! The main water line from street to
house decided to tell us that it was old, well it had been under the
ground since 1926, old house you know. Expensive! A planned three day
doTerra convention and in a spare moment corn to freeze for winter
grab detoured the packing. Now! As the suitcases were down and
readied for the trip, Lucy Dog and the two cats started to fuss. Stop
it! We are going! Then a phone call from my dear cousin announced
that they had the opportunity to visit at the same time of our
extended trip (San Jose, Los Angeles, Prescott and Vegas.) Oh, no! I
want to see Effie! After a round of Doctor visits, I thought we were
ready to go. Well, yes, I should freeze the peaches that were waiting
to be done. Uh oh! After a trip to the heart doctor, the doc said,
“Good to go!” Wow!

Next
Friday with the car packing done, we were ready to drive to San Jose
for the signing. I said I wanted to relax and soak in the tub for a
moment before we said farewell to our home and animals. Why wouldn't
the hot water faucet turn off and why was the tub filling faster than
I could dip the water out of tub into toilet! “GENE, turn the main
water line off!!” He hurried for tools, out to the curb and down on
his knees. Off went the water and out went his back!

After
waiting for someone of fix the plumbing problem. And I call it a
problem, not the usual word I use, challenge, our time had run
out to
make the trip to San Jose by driving. Knowing that an airplane could
get us there on time for the Saturday celebration for the book
signing, I went for it. (Aborting the trip was unthinkable,
considering all the preparatory work that was already well in motion
in San Jose, plus travel plans made by two other former stewardesses who
were based in LAX at the same time as I, had been invited.)

Now
to get to the airport! And Saturday morning at 3:00 AM, as I went to
the garage to get the car out, the sprinkling system was geysering!
Then I discovered that the low beam light warning indicator was on!
No!

I
was determined! It rained big sheets of water all the way to the
airport. I missed a turn to the right parking lot, had to circle and
land in the right spot. Gene had a difficult time getting to the
plane. Back really hurt! We had experienced opposition.

We
made it to the plane to find that some dear soul had upgraded our
ticket to first class. Tears came to say, “Thank you!”

Lorraine,
the niece of 97 years Margaret who had been a passenger on the Boeing
707 jet Inaugural Flight, met us at the airport. What a rewarding
welcome.

Off
to the care center for the day's activities.

The
Atria Chateau Gardens chef had prepared Inaugural Flight food, with
all the trapping of gracious dining. And there was Auntie
Margaret! Yes, Margaret with her bright mind, engaging
personality, and warm greeting was alive and happy! After meeting her
on January 25, 1959, she as a passenger and I as a stewardess on that
historic flight from Los Angeles to New York, this current meeting
also felt historical. Incidentally, New York had her winter coat on
to welcomed us with a band, and interested and interesting people to
greet us.

After
the photographers took tons of pictures we went down to the large
activity room. “Auntie” Margaret shared with me that Liz Taylor
had once recuperated at this facility. The activity director was a
lovely young lady who had designed the setting which was astonishing.
As we approached the room, I was surprised to see a landing strip
positioned on the floor with all the markings created with white
tape. A banner which read American Airlines and plane windows to look
through. Auntie Margaret walked down the strip with all the guest
standing or seated with some of us behind her. Some of us included
two other former American Airlines stewardesses whom I invited to
join me on this super adventure.

We had all been based in LAX at the
same time. Lona had been on the New York to London Inaugural
Flight and Joan on the Inaugural Flight from Los Angeles to
Philadelphia. And I on the Inaugural Flight from LAX to New York. The room was decorated with American Airlines
colors hanging all over the place. So Charming!

The
activity director . . . did an outstanding job with the voices from
the 50s belting it out with love in their hearts. And yes, there was
Dino with his amazing voice to charm the attentive group for this
very special day for Auntie Margaret, made possible by her dear and
dedicated niece Lorraine.

It
was so fun for me to sign book after book as I acquainted myself with
the care center's friendships and Margaret's terrific family. A
reunion which Lorraine had pulled together family not only from
California but from Las Vegas and Oregon for Auntie Margaret to enjoy
and some of whom she had not seen for years. Can you imagine the hugs
of joy! This was so fun for me!

One
of Margaret's friends came over to the signing table after I had
spoken a few words to announce that we belonged to the same church.
Something that I had said impressed her to ask. Connections
everywhere!

And
then to return to Lorraine's lovely home for a delectable meal host
by Lorraine and her dear family. Food arranged by the family.... and
well you know the Italians, they are so friendly and warm. Loved it!

Next
day Sunday. After another meal at the Green Cow/Sherwood Inn we
happily went back to see Auntie Margaret.

I love that
lady! One of my dear former passengers aboard that first transcontinental jet flight with the great company of
American Airlines.

On
Saturday, a gentlemen had come to the table wanting to buy a book.
They were all gone. It saddened me because he really wanted a book.
Going back to Lorraine's home, I dug deeper into my bag and there was
another book. So on Sunday I was honored to give a veteran my book:
More Than a Ticket, And that moment was more than a ticket. My heart
spun out of control as his grateful eyes and heart said thank you.
That is what life is all about. Giving! MORE THAN a TICKET

And
cousin Effie and her husband will be here tomorrow for an exciting
visit. Plans change and things work out for the better with a
peaceful landing.